Stains on your teeth are frequent and can arise from various factors. What’s the good news? Many of these stains can be treated and avoided. This condition is caused by more than just food and alcohol. Other factors that stain your teeth include tooth trauma, aging, cigarette use, and medication.
The real issue with these stains is that they ruin the teeth’s aesthetics. No matter the cause, there are steps you can take to bring back your pearly white teeth. Here are some facts concerning dental stains that dental practitioners want you to know.
Types of Teeth Stains
Teeth stains are uncomfortable to look at in the mirror. We have battled discolored teeth at some point in our lives, but figuring out the best method to treat this can be daunting. Cleaning stained teeth is determined by the type of stains and which whitening options are suitable for your dental health. With so many whitening choices on the market, there’s likely to be one that will have your smile dazzling in no time.
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains develop when food or beverage residue stains the enamel, the tooth’s outer layer. Enamel acts as a barrier to protect our teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, soda, and tobacco users are at higher risk of getting extrinsic teeth stains. This discoloration is usually treatable with whitening toothpaste or by visiting a dental center in Easton. For deeply ingrained stains, professional whitening may be required.
Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic teeth discoloring happens when stains pass through the enamel and reach the tooth’s surface. This affects the dentin, the thick tissue in the center of our teeth. Dentin is typically yellower, but intrinsic staining can cause the tooth to look gray. Common sources of intrinsic staining include:
- Certain drugs and antibiotics
- Too much fluoride at a young age
- Trauma or tooth injury
- Tooth decay
Once your teeth are intrinsically stained, removing the discoloration with over-the-counter or professional teeth whitening treatments becomes extremely difficult. Cosmetic treatment options like veneers or dental bonding are often utilized to get rid of intrinsic stains.
Age-related Stains
Age-related stains are the effect of extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Your body changes as you get older, and your teeth are no different. You may expect two vital changes to your teeth as you age: the darkening of your dentin and the thinning of your enamel. The mixed results lead to an unpleasing discoloration over which you have no control.
Age-related stains, like intrinsic stains, harm the dentin of your teeth. Therefore, it would be most beneficial to deal with these stains with an item containing a powerful whitening ingredient, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, or with routine dental cleanings from your family dentist every six months.
In the End
Taking care of our teeth is all about building healthy habits. You may be able to avoid tooth discoloration by making a few simple lifestyle modifications. If you love consuming coffee, try reducing or switching to another beverage. And, if you smoke, seek help to quit since smoking has far-reaching consequences beyond your dental health. Lastly, brush and floss your teeth daily, and see a dentist for regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
